Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, not me.
It's for the Best
Chapter 12 - Just a Normal Week at Hogwarts
As Harry sat in the Great Hall before the sorting, he felt a twinge of guilt as he glanced at an empty spot at the Slytherin table where Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle used to sit.
"It's not your fault that they became Death Eaters," whispered Hermione, who was sitting on his right.
"I suppose not," he responded half-heartedly as he shifted his eyes to the staff table, where Snape was glaring at him with more venom than usual. For a moment he felt a Legilimency probe and immediately blocked it out and shifted his gaze back toward his girlfriend. "How did you know…"
"That you were thinking about them?" She looked at him with a smirk. "You were staring where they used to sit." She then took on a much more serious expression. "Besides, I know how you think, and you can't blame yourself for what happened. They attacked you and your family - not the other way around."
Before Harry could respond, the doors to the hall opened and Professor McGonagall led the first years inside and put the Sorting Hat on a stool. After it had sung about the school's need to unite, the sorting proceeded, after which Dumbledore got up to speak.
"I hope he doesn't take too long," said Ron, who was at Harry's left, "I'm starving."
"When aren't you?" said both Hermione and Ginny (who was across from Hermione) at the same moment, causing Harry to snort as Ron glared.
"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Hogwarts," he said with the usual twinkle in his eye. "There is a time for speeches, but this is not one of them. Tuck in." He gestured with his hands and the food magically appeared on the tables.
"He makes everyone believe that he's making the food appear," commented Hermione as she loaded up her plate, "instead of giving the elves their due credit."
While Ron began eating a drumstick with one hand while overloading his plate with the other, Harry glanced at his girlfriend. "You do have a point. I'd never thought of that. I'd think he would have us clap for the elves the same as we clap for everyone who gets sorted and any new teachers."
"Speaking of which, did you notice our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"AslngntUmbge," said Ron, as bits of food sprayed from his mouth.
"That is so gross!" commented Ginny with a disgusted expression on her face while Harry tried to ignore him. Hermione's view of Ron was blocked by Harry, fortunately for her.
"You really ought to try to show a few table manners," said Seamus, who was nearby. "Girls don't want to date a bloke who eats like that." The Irish teenager winked.
"I should say not," said Hermione while Ron was swallowing.
"All I said was that any teacher would be better than Umbridge," Ron responded angrily.
Harry nodded as he looked back at the staff table to find a new, yet familiar face. It was a pink-cheeked black-haired witch who was part of the Advance Guard that had helped Harry in his escape from the Dursley house a little over a year ago. He just couldn't remember her name.
"Isn't that Hestia Jones?" asked Hermione.
"That's it," he said before looking at his slightly confused companion. "I couldn't remember her name," he clarified.
After the food vanished, Dumbledore got back up to the podium. "Welcome again to another year at Hogwarts. In the way of announcements, let me introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher - Professor Jones." The students clapped appropriately.
"As always, the Dark Forest remains forbidden to all students. Mr. Filch has asked me to announce that there is a blanket ban on all products purchased from the establishment known as `Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes,' the owners of which have, incidentally, asked me to announce that they are having a sale on all mail order purchases from Hogwarts for the next two weeks, although I am sure that none of you will have any use for that information." Harry, along with most of the school, laughed and clapped at that announcement. Mr. Filch looked ready to strangle the headmaster, whose eyes were twinkling madly.
"Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch Teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise.
Dumbledore ended his speech with a warning that Voldemort was now gaining in strength, so students should be careful and abide by the security restrictions, and then wished them a good night.
-
Harry was sitting on a couch in the common room that night, reading from his Occlumency book, when someone sat down next to him. He glanced up and grinned. "Hi, Hermione. Have you got your stuff organized? You-know, ten posters of me hanging all over your room."
"I do have a small photo of you displayed," she said with a slight blush. "I'll bet if you signed it, it would be stolen."
He chuckled at that thought. "Sad, but true." He yawned.
"As much as I'm glad you're reading that book, you probably should turn in. We've got to get up at six to exercise."
"Six?" he repeated with his eyes bulged out.
"Of course. We'll need time to shower afterward and get to breakfast on time." She sighed. "Ron and Ginny weren't happy about it, either. I know it'll be hard at first, but we'll get used to it." She leaned forward and kissed him. "Goodnight."
"Night," he said as he got up and helped her up. "See you in the morning."
-
"Ouch!" The bottoms of Harry's feet were getting hotter and hotter, causing him to do a clumsy sort of dance. He looked around to see that he was standing on a deserted beach, and his feet were being burned by the sand. The sun was out, and he was wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks. At second glance, he noticed that there was one lone occupant lying down on a towel near the water. He made his way toward the spot, and soon realized that it was a beautiful woman with bushy brown hair wearing a white bikini. He smiled as he approached her, and when he was close enough to see her face, he saw that it was Hermione.
"Hello, Harry," she said seductively as she got up. "Whatever shall we do?" she asked as she put her arms around him. She moved her face closer to his and…"
"BZZZZZZZZ!"
As Harry's eyes opened, he silently cursed his old-fashioned alarm clock for interrupting what promised to be such a good dream. He turned it off before squinting at it. "Six o'clock," he groaned. A small smile showed on his face when he mumbled to himself, "Maybe if I get up with no problem, the real Hermione will…"
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud snore. Harry put on his glasses and walked over to the only person he knew who could snore like that - Ron. He pulled back the bed curtains and shook his friend. "Ron, wake up. Ron! RON!!!"
"Whaaa. Just five more minutes, Mum," the redhead muttered without opening his eyes. He rolled over to his side.
"Wake up!" No response. "There's a spider!"
Ron jumped out of bed right into Harry as he screamed. They both landed in a heap on the floor. "Harry, why'd you do that?"
"You wouldn't wake up," he said as they got up. "It's time to…"
"What are you two doing up this early?" asked Neville, who Harry turned to see was sitting up.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," whispered Harry.
"But what are you doing?"
"We're gonna exercise and practice a bit of spell work with Hermione and Ginny."
Neville looked confused for a moment. "Sounds like a small D.A. meeting."
"I suppose," Ron whispered, shrugging.
"Can I come?"
Harry looked at Neville as though he'd grown a second head. "Why do you want to?"
"I figure that you're training to fight Death Eaters. I think after the Department of Mysteries, I could use more training."
"You can come if you want."
The boys quickly got dressed in appropriate clothes, somehow managing to not wake Seamus or Dean, and were downstairs by ten after six.
"It took you long enough," said Ginny while covering her mouth as she yawned. She seemed to be very cranky in the morning. She blinked as her ears turned pink when she noticed an extra boy. "Hi, Neville. I didn't know you were coming."
"Neither did I. I woke up while Harry was trying to get Ron out of bed." Ginny and Hermione giggled while Ron's face flushed. "I asked if I could come. I-Is that alright?" he asked the girls.
"Sure. Come on," said Hermione as she walked toward the door. They all followed.
-
Five minutes later, Hermione was pacing back and forth in front of the picture of Barnabas the Barmy while the others waited for the door to appear. Harry suddenly heard footsteps behind him. He pulled his wand and turned around to find he was pointing it at…Luna Lovegood. She was wearing a sweater and jogging pants, and her wand was (as usual) tucked behind her ear. She didn't appear to have been startled.
"Good morning, Harry, Ronald, Neville, Ginny and Hermione," she said, completely ignoring the wand pointed at her. A five-legged pinksaft told me I should be here. What are we doing?" Harry noticed Ron's ears turn pink when his name was mentioned.
The door appeared while Luna was speaking, and Hermione opened it. Hermione answered the girl while Harry stowed away his wand. "We're just exercising and practicing dueling."
"A small D.A. meeting. Sounds interesting. You should have used the D.A. Galleons. I still have mine."
"Me, too," said Neville.
"If we wait too long, the Nargles will get in," the blond girl said before walking into the room. Ron entered next, followed by Hermione, then Harry and the others.
The room looked like a double-sized gymnasium. There were track marks on the floor, and Harry noticed that there was an area designated to jog around the perimeter. He saw five muggle exercise machines - no six - he corrected himself as another appeared. He glanced ahead to see Hermione looking in that direction.
Hermione, appearing a bit nervous, turned to face them. "Alright. We all know that Death Eaters never exercise, so this will give us an advantage over them. This will give us a lot more energy and stamina. It will also allow us to move faster and not get winded easily. I thought we'd warm up with a five minute jog around the track." A timer appeared in her hand. She set it and announced, "Go!" and started jogging. Harry followed her, and heard the others fall in line behind him.
-
By the time the alarm went off, Harry was convinced he was about to have a heart attack. He was pouring sweat and panting. He glanced around to see the others weren't in any better shape than him.
"This is much harder than it sounds in the book," said Hermione between gasps. "Give me a minute to catch my breath." After about two minutes of gasping, she continued. "Now, we're going to…"
-
She bravely continued going through the exercises from the book she'd read, using the machines to exercise particular muscles. When it was 6:45, they were thoroughly exhausted. Hermione weakly announced, "Now we'll practice dueling for a few minutes. Harry," she said, looking at him expectantly.
"Oh, er, yes. Over the summer, I realized that getting hit by one spell is enough to kill you in a fight, and that the protego shield doesn't block most of the curses Death Eaters use. I think that we should concentrate on not getting hit. That means dodging, hiding behind things, and something that I saw Dumbledore do at the Ministry - summoning objects in front of you. We'll split off into groups of two and…"
Harry was in full `professor mode' as he explained what he had in mind for the lesson that day, and they practiced dodging for ten minutes before the timer went off again, signaling that it was time to get back to their dorms. On the way back, Hermione assured her boyfriend that once they were more organized, they'd have more time to practice dueling. She also explained how her book suggested different exercises for each day.
-
As he was taking his shower, he realized that he felt a certain satisfaction from making it through the exercise regimen. He also felt very awake and alert.
-
At breakfast, McGonagall handed out the schedules. Hermione was off to her Ancient Runes class before Harry got his schedule. He grinned as he noted that Potions was not included on his. By now, he'd realized that he didn't want to work for the Ministry of Magic, so he didn't really regret that he wouldn't be an auror. His head of house had expressed regret that Snape wouldn't allow anyone who hadn't achieved an `O' on their O.W.L. but he said not to worry about it. "I don't think I'd want to follow Umbridge's orders." He remembered that last year, aurors had tried to apprehend Dumbledore and later Hagrid, and that some had attacked McGonagall when she'd tried to interfere with Rubeus' arrest. Fortunately, Hagrid had escaped, but McGonagall was injured. He didn't know what he'd do if he was ordered to arrest one of his friends.
Minerva smiled briefly. "I quite understand, but you should know that the whole Ministry isn't like that."
He shrugged his shoulders, not feeling like arguing with one of his favorite teachers. "Maybe not, but I wouldn't want to work for them."
"Then I suggest we meet this week to have another career consultation. This one will be mercifully free from the opinions of imbeciles and fools."
"I think I'd like that," said Harry, sincerely.
"I'll let you know when at the end of your Transfiguration class tomorrow."
"Thanks." McGonagall then walked off to the next Gryffindor.
Harry looked at his schedule to see that in included Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures. He figured that without taking Potions, he had time for Hagrid's class, although he did dread what creatures his first friend had in store for the N.E.W.T. class. He was disappointed that Hermione wasn't joining him, but he understood that she didn't have the time. He also noticed that he was scheduled every Friday afternoon for `Independent Study' for two hours. He was about to get up to ask his Head of House about it when he was tapped on the shoulder from behind. He turned to see Marietta Edgecombe standing behind him. Her hair was arranged differently, and for a fleeting moment, he thought she looked attractive.
"Hi, Harry. I was asked to give you this note." She handed him a scroll, making sure to keep her hand on his for a few seconds longer than necessary. "Bye, Harry." She winked at him before turning away, causing his heart to flutter for a moment before he shook his head. Something about that reminded him of when he saw Veelas for the first time at the world cup a few years before.
Harry filed that information away for later use and turned his attention to the scroll in his hand. He immediately recognized the loopy handwriting as that of Professor Dumbledore.
`Dear Harry,
Our private lessons will be at the time labeled `Independent Study' on your schedule. I look forward to seeing you this Friday.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.
P.S. I like Acid Pops.'
"I don't have any class for a few hours," said Ron from beside him, "Do you?"
He turned to his friend. "Nope."
"Want to play a game of chess in the Common Room?"
"Sorry. I've got to go to the library."
Ron stared at Harry in shock. It was five seconds later that he finally found his voice. "You've been hanging out with Hermione too long, mate."
He chuckled a bit. "There's just something I want to look up, that's all. I'm not gonna move there."
"I hope not. See you later."
-
An hour and forty-five minutes later, Hermione entered the library, and was surprised to see her boyfriend sitting at a table pouring over a huge tome. She smiled as she walked up to his table, setting her bag down across from him. He looked up immediately, and for a moment it seemed like he was going for his wand. He grinned when he saw it was her.
"Fancy meeting you here," said Hermione.
"I suppose you usually come here to avoid me," he responded cheekily as he glanced at his watch to see he had fifteen minutes before his first class.
"I didn't say that. As a matter of fact, I'm glad you're here. I got out of class a few minutes early and thought I'd do a bit of reading. What do you have, there?"
"Oh," said Harry with a smirk, "A bit of light reading."
"Ha ha." She then started reading from the page he was on. "The cupido effector perfume does not require physical contact with the subject to illicit desire, however, touching him or her for at least five seconds will strengthen the affect. It produces an effect similar, though not nearly as powerful, to exposure to Veela. It is not nearly as effective as ingesting a love potion." She looked at her boyfriend with concern. "Why are you reading this? Do you think someone's trying to use this against you?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe. I'm not sure."
"So either someone's doing that, or you're starting to have feelings for another girl."
Keeping one hand on the book to hold his place, he took her right hand in his and looked her in the eyes. "I love you. Even if my hunch is wrong and I have a tiny attraction to her, you have nothing to worry about. The thing is, I can't stand her unless she's next to me."
"Who is it?" asked Hermione with a smirk, "Pansy Parkinson?"
He snorted slightly. "Almost." He took a deep breath. "Marietta Edgecombe." Hermione gasped. "She came up to me on the train while you were at the meeting and apologized. Then this morning she gave me a note from Dumbledore."
"I wonder if she's part of the plot that made you and Ginny fancy each other," she said dispassionately, and Harry realized that his girlfriend knew she had nothing to fear from the D.A. traitor.
"That's what I'm wondering. If at first you don't succeed…"
"I wonder if the person who invented that saying realized that it can be used for criminal activities just as easily as for anything else," said Hermione.
"I know that's how Voldemort feels about killing me," Harry said with a grin. "Anyway, I think we should be heading to class." Harry returned the book to the shelf, and they both headed for their first Defense lesson with Hestia Jones.
-
Within a few minutes, they were sitting near Ron in the D.A.D.A. classroom, and Harry was looking around. On the blackboard were two lists of names. One was incredibly long. Most of the names on it were unfamiliar to Harry, but a few names, such as Edger Bones, he recognized from an Order photo he'd seen the previous year. The last two names on that list were James and Lily Potter. The other list was shorter, and began with Cedric Diggory. Harry noted with sadness that Sirius Black and Vernon Dursley were on that list. Although they weren't labeled, Harry was fairly certain what those lists were.
"Hello, class," the teacher said after the bell rang.
Harry thought she looked a bit sad. `Then again,' he thought to himself, `I'd be sad if I'd just copied down a list of Voldemort's victims.'
"As you know, my name is Professor Jones. It's my job to teach you defense. Some of you may believe that it is just so that you can pass your N.E.W.T.s. I want you all to realize that this is not the case. The primary function of this class is to prepare you all to survive this war. I'd like to call your attention to the black board. Can anyone tell me what those lists are?"
Harry, along with Hermione, Ron, Neville, and several others raised their hands. The teacher looked at Harry's girlfriend. "Miss Granger."
"The first list consists of those who died in the first Voldemort war, and those on the second list are casualties of the current war." Most of the class flinched at the name.
"Correct. Five points to Gryffindor. I want you all to look at those names. You are just as susceptible to attack as anybody on that list. They are our families and friends, and didn't deserve to die the way they did. My job is to try to make sure your name doesn't get added to the second list. Your job is to make sure I'm successful. I'm now going to take attendance."
The class was in a solemn mood as Hestia went through the first lesson, getting the class to perform their first nonverbal spells. Although that lesson was on shield charms, she mentioned that when facing a Death Eater, the best block is not to be there because the unforgivable curses can't be blocked with a protego shield. She said that they would study and practice every method of avoiding getting hit over the course of the year, mentioning that some of them were physical, and being in good shape would help them to move more quickly. She recommended, but did not require, daily workouts. For homework, she assigned a foot-long essay on the protego shield, including recommendations on when to use it and when not to use it. She also asked for a list of at least five spells that aren't blocked by it, with extra credit for every other spell they can add beyond that list.
-
That afternoon, Harry found himself in a class of three people standing outside of Hagrid's hut. The other two were Hufflepuffs, one of whom had failed most of their O.W.L.s, so they had to take what they could. The other one genuinely wanted to work with magical creatures.
The door to the cabin opened, revealing the half-giant with a huge grin on his face. "Good afternoon, class!" he said before his expression changed to confusion as he looked around.
"Good afternoon, Professor Hagrid," said Harry confidently.
"Hi, Harry. Where's Hermione an' Ron?"
"Hermione's already taking seven classes, which is more than is usually recommended. She just couldn't take another class. If I were taking one more class, I wouldn't have been able to be here, either."
"I suppose I understan' that. What about Ron? I doubt he'd be takin' extra classes."
"I suppose he's trying to take as few classes as possible. He's only taking four. I'm surprised his mum let him."
"I suppose," said Hagrid. "Anyway, I got a real treat fer ya three today. Follow me inta the Dark Forest."
Harry, along with the others, followed, hoping that he wasn't going to get reacquainted with Aragog today.
-
Two hours later, the three survivors made it to the castle, having endured a lesson on Blood-sucking Bugbears, which are a type of magical creature resembling a grizzly bear and believed to eat naughty children (although Hagrid said it was rubbish, "Them're just misunderstood."). The creature he showed them started running after the students halfway through the lesson, but Hagrid, with his immense size and strength, was able to hold it back. He then asked, "Would any a' ya wanna pet it?" while the monster was growling as drool dropped from its mouth. Harry couldn't help but notice the beast's long, sharp fangs.
"How could he show the class one of those?" asked Hermione as her boyfriend described his lesson at dinner. "You might've been eaten! You should drop the course."
"Hermione, could you imagine how much it would hurt Hagrid's feelings if I did that?"
"Fine, but please be careful," she huffed.
-
That night, Hermione had her first patrol, as part of her prefect duties. Although she suspected it, she didn't actually know for sure that Harry was following her around under his invisibility cloak. She was currently doing rounds with Anthony Goldstein, a Ravenclaw prefect in their year.
"I was really surprised when I heard you were dating Potter," he said as they walked. Harry clenched his fists.
"Oh, why is that," Hermione said softly. Harry guessed that she thought he'd believe she wasn't good enough for Harry.
"A smart girl like you should know better than to hang out with a guy who keeps getting attacked. He's too dangerous, with You-Know-Who after him."
"Maybe I like brave men," said Hermione with just a tad bit of annoyance in her voice that Harry doubted Anthony would have noticed.
"I know he's better than that other dunderhead you hang out with, Weasley…"
"Ron's not a dunderhead," defended Hermione, now openly angry. "He just…"
"I know Potter's good at defense, but I heard that he had to take remedial Potions lessons last year, and still didn't do well enough on his O.W.L. to be in the class. You should go for someone who's more intellectual. Someone like me."
It took all of Harry's self-control not to start beating that raven-brained good-for-nothing…
"What?!" exclaimed the shocked Gryffindor prefect. "No way. I'm…"
Anthony then roughly took her hand in his, and suddenly her face went blank. "That's it. I know you really fancy me," he said gently.
"Y-yes, I do," she said blankly, staring straight in front of her.
Goldstein slowly leaned forward to kiss her. Just before their lips met, he fell to the right at the impact of an invisible fist making contact with his temple. He let go of Hermione as he fell to the floor. He quickly put his hand over the side of his head, but from the glimpse Harry had of the injury, he was obviously going to have quite a bruise.
Hermione blinked her eyes in surprise as she came out of her daze and noticed the fallen prefect and realized what must have happened. Harry watched her face go from confused to understanding to furious in less than two seconds. She glared at Goldstein. "Er, the next time you grab me, you'll get worse!" she shouted, making a fist.
"What, you couldn't have done that! Who…"
"And I suppose I can't kick you either," she said as she demonstrated her ability to do that, kicking his ribs hard. "I can't believe you tried that! Stupefy!" Even Harry hadn't noticed her drawing her wand. "I'm going to get McGonagall, Harry."
"Want me to levitate that thing behind you?" he asked, still under the cloak.
"Actually, I'd better do that myself so nobody knows you're out of bed."
-
Five minutes later, a very tired-looking Minerva McGonagall opened the door to her quarters. "Yes, Miss Granger. What is…what's wrong with Mr. Goldstein?"
"He's stupefied, Professor. He…he tried to use some kind of love potion on me during our rounds." Hermione was now beginning to show signs of stress.
She looked completely shocked. "What? Come in."
"Yes. I don't know if Professor Dumbledore told you this, but during the summer, someone was dosing Harry and Ginny with love potion."
"I didn't know that," the now wide-awake professor said.
"And this morning he mentioned that he wondered if someone was doing something similar to him, but with their perfume. Anyway, Goldstein and I were doing our rounds when he started saying that I should date him instead of Harry. I was disagreeing until he grabbed my hand. Then I went into some sort of trance and suddenly did fancy him. He was about to kiss me when…" She started looking at the floor. "Er, I came out of it and punched him."
McGonagall took a look at the huge bruise on Anthony's face and then at the size of Hermione's hands. "That bruise looks a bit large for your fist to have made, Miss Granger," she said with a small smirk. I would imagine that it was made by someone with a fist the size of Harry's."
Hermione's ears were red and her face was pink. "Er, what d-do you mean, Professor?"
"Recently, the headmaster made me aware that Mr. Potter would most likely be keeping a certain family artifact with him at all times, and instructed me not to confiscate it if I were to ever see, or rather not see, it."
Hermione gulped.
"I would imagine that Mr. Potter is most concerned for your welfare, and wouldn't take too kindly to anyone pulling that particular stunt, especially as you two are now a couple." She then pulled out her wand and pointed it at Anthony, performing a silent spell. He soon glowed bright yellow. "You are correct, Miss Granger. The boy is wearing cologne with cupido effector in it. I shall have him confined to the Hospital wing so that his injuries can be treated, and then I'll inform the headmaster. You may return to Gryffindor tower, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter."
-
The next day, the group of six was ready much earlier to begin their workout, and had more time to practice dodging spells. They were all still exhausted afterward, but Harry felt revived after his shower.
After Transfiguration, both Harry and Hermione were informed by McGonagall that Anthony Goldstein had been acting under the influence of the Imperius Curse, and had lost his memory of the event shortly after he'd been revived. However, because that claim kept so many Death Eaters out of Azkaban, Dumbledore felt that some form of punishment was necessary, lest others decide to behave viciously and use that excuse. Therefore Anthony lost his prefectship, which was given to Michael Corner. Besides, after what had happened, none of the female prefects would feel comfortable doing rounds with him again. His record would say that he resigned from the position, as opposed to losing it for misconduct. McGonagall also informed Harry that she would meet with him that Saturday afternoon after Quidditch tryouts to discuss his career options.
-
"Potter, what's your hurry?" came a familiar voice from behind Harry as he walked toward Gryffindor tower. He put his right hand on his wand handle as he stopped to turn around.
"Professor Snape," he said as cordially as possible.
"I must say that Potions class is much more bearable now that I am free of your incompetence, as well as many other Gryffindors from your year. It is unfortunate that I still have to deal with Granger."
"I haven't missed you either, Professor," he said coldly.
"I must say that even I was shocked at the level of arrogance you displayed in refusing my generous offer to continue your remedial Potions lessons."
Harry forced himself to say, "Thank you for the offer, but it is no longer necessary. I've been studying independently."
"How exceedingly arrogant you are, just like your father!" Snape sneered.
"If that's all, may I go, sir?"
"Fine. Get out of my sight."
Harry walked away, keeping his hand on his wand and ready to dive out of the way if Snape took a shot at him. He was on the alert until after he was safely in Gryffindor tower.
-
The rest of the week went by quickly after that. It was starting to get easier for Harry to wake up at six, and he wasn't getting quite as exhausted during the workout as the first day. Before he knew it, Harry was entering Dumbledore's office for their first lesson.
"Good afternoon, Harry. Sit down," the headmaster said, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Would you like a lemon drop?"
"No, thank you."
"Very well. Shall we begin? How much do you know about how the amount of magical power one has available to him affects their ability to cast spells?"
This sounded to Harry like the type of question meant for Hermione, not him. "Er, um, I suppose that someone with more magical power can cast more spells…without getting tired," he guessed.
"That's partially correct, my boy. However, there are a few other aspects of that concept which are far more important to our lessons. One is that the spells cast by a wizard with greater magical power are stronger. The difference can be as vast as the difference between a breeze and a hurricane. The other aspect is that certain spells can only be cast by an exceptionally powerful wizard."
"Really?" asked Harry, interested.
"Oh, yes. Do you know what determines how magically powerful a wizard or witch is?"
"No, sir."
"Inside every magical being is what is referred to as a magical core. That's what Hogwarts detects in children to determine their eligibility to attend school here. Muggles and Squibs have virtually none. You have a slightly above average magical core. Whereas I, on the other hand, in all modesty, have a very large one."
"I can imagine," said Harry, sincerely. He'd always thought that Dumbledore was the greatest sorcerer in the world.
"Yes," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "Alas, that power does me no good when, according to the prophecy, I can't use it to vanquish Voldemort."
"That is too bad," said Harry sadly wishing that Dumbledore could rid the world of Voldemort and take away the burden of the prophecy from him.
"However," the headmaster said with a grin, "I have found a way to transfer some of my power to your magical core…temporarily. I shall, of course, want it back after you've used it to destroy Riddle once and for all."
Harry's eyes bulged out. "Is that even possible?"
"Of course it is, although very few people know it. Imagine how the conservative purebloods would start stealing magic from the muggle-borns to give to their squib children if they knew. You probably shouldn't tell anyone about this, not even Miss Granger."
Harry looked affronted. "Why shouldn't I tell Hermione? I trust her completely!"
"Of course you do, my boy. Of course you do. I know that she'd never deliberately reveal our secrets. I just feel that she couldn't accidentally let this information slip, perhaps in an academic discussion, if she doesn't have it."
Harry looked down, now unsure. "I, I suppose you might be right."
"I'm glad you saw reason, Harry. I shall perform the spell now, and then I'll teach you how to control it so that you won't have any accidents in class."
"Will it hurt your ability to do magic?" he asked, concerned.
With an uncharacteristically grim expression, Albus said, "not with the spells I use everyday, but were I to engage Voldemort again, I would be at a disadvantage." He sighed. "It is a risk I am willing to take for the cause." The twinkle returned to his eyes. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry. "Eximo modus potentia!"
Harry felt a tingling sensation from the same area as his heart spread out into every fiber of his being. He felt like he'd been in shackles for years and was suddenly released. He was powerful, more powerful than he'd ever felt before. He thought he could do anything as he felt his magic - Dumbledore's magic, he corrected himself, although it felt very natural to him, like this was how he was meant to be - flow through him. He thought he saw sparks fly from his hands for a moment before they stopped. He was still feeling very exhilarated.
"Very good," said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes. "The spell was successful. Now, to learn how to control your extra power." He set a quill down on his desk in front of Harry. "Levitate this quill."
With a swish and flick, Harry confidently said, "Wingardium Leviosa."
The quill shot up point first, straight into the ceiling. Half of it was lodged in there when Harry inspected his work. He looked terrified. "W-what if I tried to stupefy someone? I could accidentally kill someone in Defense class."
"That is why we will spend the remainder of our time here teaching you to control exactly how much power you wish to put into your spells. I believe that you'll be able to do that well enough to avoid any serious accidents, and you'll know enough to keep practicing this week. Next week I'll start teaching you new spells that you'll now be able to use against Voldemort." He put another quill on the table. "Now, what I'd like you to do is…"
By the time the lesson was over, Harry was confident that he wouldn't blow up any classrooms by mistake, but still wasn't confident that he wouldn't hurt anybody in his dueling the next morning. He resolved to practice that for the rest of the day. He went to the Room of Requirement, bringing up their normal practice room, and had it produce dummies that he repeatedly stunned and disarmed for about three hours before the door opened, revealing his girlfriend.
"Hermione?" he asked, "How'd you find me?"
"You missed dinner, and weren't in the Common Room, the library, or the Quidditch pitch. I brought you something to eat."
He walked up to her and gave her a quick kiss. "That was nice of you."
A table and chairs appeared, and Hermione put his plate on the table. "I suppose you've been practicing the new spells Dumbledore taught you."
His ears turned pink. He didn't want to lie to Hermione. "Er, yeah."
Her eyes lit up rather attractively. "Can I see?"
"Er, Dumbledore kind of asked me not to show anybody what he's teaching me."
Her face went from happy to sad in an instant. "Not even me?"
He sighed. "Not even you. I specifically asked him. He knows you wouldn't deliberately…"
"I understand. I just would like to help you practice."
"I know."
"Anyway," said Hermione, "I thought you'd like to know that I have rounds in a half hour with Nott."
He immediately tensed up. "I'll be right behind you."
"I know," she said with a smirk.
"I wonder if he has the Dark Mark?" said Harry, as he picked up a roll from his plate.
"I hope not."
-
Hermione looked nervous as she met Theodore Nott just outside the Great Hall.
"Hi, Granger. It's nice to see you." He offered his hand, and she hesitantly shook it.
"Hello, Nott," she said with a neutral voice.
"I'm sure that you've heard a lot of bad things about Slytherins, and Malfoy probably convinced you that they're all true. I want you to know that most Slytherins don't follow the Dark Lord. We all just have ambition."
"That's good to know," she said hesitantly.
"I also heard what happened with Goldstein a few days ago, and want to assure you that I'm not under the Imperius curse."
"Okay," she said, "then I suggest we start our rounds."
-
An hour later, Hermione and Nott were patrolling in the dungeons chatting amicably.
"So you, Potter, and Weasley actually did fight a mountain troll in first year?"
"Yes," she said. "That kind of started our friendship."
"Malfoy said it was just a story Dumbledore made up to make Potter look good."
"That shows what he knew," said Hermione.
Harry, who'd been eying the Marauders Map under his cloak, noticed three Slytherins (two seventh years and a fifth year), not including Snape, begin surrounding them. The professor specifically was walking out of a classroom door they'd just passed.
"I was telling the truth when I said I'm not under the Imperius," said Nott as he stopped suddenly, "and that most Slytherins don't follow the Dark Lord." Instead of smiling as before, he was sneering at her. She stared at him in shock. "Not even the Imperius Curse could make me kiss a filthy Mudblood like you! I'll have to scourgify my hand from shaking yours earlier." He pulled his wand out and pointed it straight toward her as he backed away. Harry pulled out his wand. "I've got her, Professor," Theodore called out.
"Miss Granger," sneered the greasy git, "How nice to see you. It's even nicer to not see you, Mr. Potter. I know you're around here somewhere, sneaking around after curfew. Reveal yourself!" He pointed his wand at Harry, who was between Snape and Hermione. Harry realized that Severus thought he was aiming at Granger.
The head of Slytherin nodded, and four different students joined their professor in pointing their wands at Hermione, saying, "Sectumsempra!"
-
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